Butterflies of District Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh: A Preliminary Study

This study examines the diversity, distribution and conservation of butterflies in Barabanki district, Uttar Pradesh, from March 2021 to October 2023. Surveys were conducted across five landscapes: meadows, woodlands, forests, agricultural fields and shrubland. A total of 42,468 butterfly individuals, representing 97 species from 58 genera and five families, were recorded. The Lycaenidae family was the most diverse, with 34 species, followed by Nymphalidae, Pieridae, Hesperiidae and Papilionidae. Woodland and forest habitats supported the highest species diversity (95 species), while shrubland had the greatest abundance of individuals. These findings emphasize the importance of conserving diverse habitats and maintaining regular monitoring to ensure the health of butterfly populations and the broader ecosystem.